A CLASSY Port Adelaide outfit claimed a 36-point win over St Kilda on Friday in the side’s final pre-season hitout before the NAB AFLW season begins. 

The Power piled on four goals in the opening quarter at Alberton Oval, with quick ball movement and free-flowing scoring featuring in the last two pre-season games. 

The Saints were able to wrestle back some momentum in the second term, but failed to truly capitalise on their scoring opportunities, before the Power ran away with a five-goal second half. 

“It's pleasing to put scores on the board again, it's been a real focus for us to generate much better offence than we did last year and we saw that from the get-go tonight,” senior coach Lauren Arnell said after the game.  

“We saw it on Saturday last week against the Giants so I'm really pleased that we can execute that side of our game. It's also good to get challenged, I thought the Saints showed some good footy and really tested us, particularly in that second quarter, so to be able to reset and go back to the plan at half time, I'm really pleased with.” 

Abbey Dowrick once again led from the front, seeing plenty of the footy, while new recruit Jasmin Stewart took a step up and showed some of her left-footed flair. 

Julia Teakle starred early with two goals in the first term, while fan-favourite Gemma Houghton was the other multiple goal-scorer, also with two. 

Ruck Matilda Scholz continued to demonstrate her strength and aerial contest, with the 18-year-old showing positive signs up against experienced Saints campaigner Erin McKinnon. 

Key defender Amelie Borg successfully shut down dangerous forward Jesse Wardlaw, with Borg keeping Wardlaw goalless for the match. 

“We got challenged in that second quarter, but to be able to go back to just playing team footy and looking after the game style that we've coached all pre-season (was great),” Arnell said. 

“The calmness from our coaches when we were challenged is a real positive area for us too.  

“There's certainly a wide range of contributors across the ground for us but the main message from me is playing the team style of footy that we've been training and I'm just so pleased that we’ve seen that again tonight. It's given us real confidence going into the season.” 

Port Adelaide opens its AFLW season against Adelaide at Norwood Oval on Saturday, 2 September. AFLW club memberships and tickets are on sale now, with a Port Adelaide membership securing access to all home-and-away matches.

Scoreboard  
PA    4.2    4.2    7.4    9.4   (58)  
SK    0.1    1.7    1.7    2.10 (22)  

Goals: Houghton, Teakle 2, Mules, Halfpenny, Foley, Stewart, Saint